-- Cal football players gave an enthusiastic thumbs-up to an NCAA proposal to increase scholarship money to Division I student-athletes, saying the additional $2,000 per year would improve their quality of life.

NCAA President Mark Emmert proposed the increase and will ask the organization's Division I Board of Directors to support it at today's meeting. Approval would allow conferences like the Pac-12 to increase grants to student-athletes by $2,000, which, spread over an academic year, amounts to an extra $200 a month.

Given the cost of rent in the Berkeley area, the move was heartily endorsed by Cal's scholarship players as they practiced for Saturday's game against UCLA at the Rose Bowl.

"Yeah, I'm totally in favor of that," said guard Justin Cheadle, a senior who would not benefit from a future increase in grant money. "For the money we get as student-athletes, we really struggle with rent and food. We don't have that much money to begin with. An increase would be great for all student-athletes."

Cheadle said he receives a scholarship check of $936 a month that goes toward rent, food and bills such as utilities and phone. His rent is $650 a month, which doesn't leave much left over for other bills.

"Rent is pretty high in the Bay Area," Cheadle said. "You have bills on top of that. It's definitely hard for student-athletes to manage their money. You go hungry sometimes."

Players get one training-table meal a day during the school year. Otherwise, they're on their own, like other students.

"I could put a positive on it," Cheadle said. "One good thing about it is it teaches you how to manage your money."

Freshman linebacker Chris McCain will benefit from the proposed increase if it is implemented during his time in Berkeley. He said he receives a scholarship check of $981, $750 of which goes to rent.

"Right now it's hard to live out here," said McCain, of Greensboro, N.C. "That little extra could help out, especially with rent. It's a struggle right now. I could definitely use it. If the NCAA was to (raise grant money), that would be excellent."

"Right when I leave," Cattouse said, chagrined. "For years, we've been saying we need more money, but that's true for everybody. We get peanuts for what college sports makes. A little more would increase the comfort level.

"I worry about eating. That should be the last of our concerns. It's been an issue since I've been here."

Cattouse said he receives a scholarship check of $936 plus an additional $150 because he has a daughter to care for. His rent is $700.

"I get a little help from my family, my brother, my mom," he said. "Some guys don't have external income. It's tough if you don't have the help of your family."

Though 85 of Cal's players are on scholarship, they are definitely not on Easy Street.

"That's the farthest from the truth, that we're pampered," Guyton said. "It is a struggle to get everything paid for once you get your rent paid. You only have $100, $200 for the month for everything else. It's tough."